Two tonnes of ivory seized in Kenya

Nairobi
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Smugglers tried to get about two tonnes of ivory and five rhino horns out of Kenya by hiding them inside boxes labelled avocados. The boxes, which were destined to be shipped to Malaysia, were seized at Nairobi's international airport.

BBC News reported that the haul, which involved, 317 pieces, is believed to be the largest in Kenya for several years.

The Kenyan Wildlife Service (KWS) said that they believe the elephants which the ivory came from died naturally.

Two suspects have been arrested in relation to the seizure.

Last year, Kenyan authorities have seized 300kg (660 lbs) of ivory and rhinoceros horns which had been hidden in coffins and was to be shipped to Laos.

Ivory smuggling has been a problem mainly due to demand from wealthy buyers in the US and Asia.